FA will launch 'monkey joke' investigation

The FA will launch an investigation into who spoke to the press about the incident involving Roy Hodgson's half-time comments during England's World Cup qualifier with Poland on Tuesday.

The main concern for football's governing body is that the tip off - which made the front page of The Sun on Thursday - was to the newspaper's showbiz editor, rather than one of its sports journalists.

It meansthat the so-called "mole" is likely to be one of the player's entourage - likely to be an agent or an aide.

The Daily Mail claims the story was then checked out by the journalist via the agent of at least one other player, while several other players who have been contacted to see if they are the source have taken legal advice on the basis of intrusion.

Townsend has come out in firm support of Hodgson.

"I don't have a problem at all. No offence was meant and none was taken," he said, before adding on Twitter: "It's not even newsworthy."